IoT Articles: Recommended Reading/Listening/Viewing --
10 Real Life Examples of Internet of Things
https://circuitdigest.com/ten-examples-of-internet-of-things-iot
The Best Smart Home Devices of 2018
https://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2410889,00.asp
Nest Hello review: A premium doorbell for the paranoid homeowner
You'll pay dearly for it, though.
https://www.engadget.com/2018/04/27/nest-hello-review/
Amazon will install a full smart home security system for you
You'll only have to pay once, and packages include the installation fee.
https://www.engadget.com/2018/04/27/amazon-full-home-security-system-install/
Google Assistant Will Soon Support a Lot More of Your Household Gadgets
https://www.reviewgeek.com/3646/google-assistant-will-soon-support-a-lot-more-of-your-household-gadgets/
Important Concepts:
What is cloud computing?
A beginner's guide
https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/overview/what-is-cloud-computing/
(Told from the perspective of Microsoft's Azure Cloud Platform, which is an example of a Public cloud.)
"There are three different ways to deploy cloud computing resources: public cloud, private cloud, and hybrid cloud."
"How cloud computing works"
"Cloud computing services all work a little differently, depending on the provider. But many provide a friendly, browser-based dashboard that makes it easier for IT professionals and developers to order resources and manage their accounts. Some cloud computing services are also designed to work with REST APIs and a command-line interface (CLI), giving developers multiple options."
Real-Time Processing -- What Is Edge Computing?
Not Ready for Cloud Computing Yet? Buckle Up for Edge Computing
https://www.maketecheasier.com/buckle-up-for-edge-computing/
Microsoft's strategy for the future
At Build 2018, Microsoft will continue to form the foundation for ubiquitous computing's future
If you blink, you may just miss how the world of computing is changing right now.
https://www.windowscentral.com/microsofts-future-building-backbone-ubiquitous-computing
Illustration:
https://www.windowscentral.com/sites/wpcentral.com/files/styles/xlarge/public/field/image/2018/05/intelligent-edge-microsoft-press.jpg?itok=Lat6fF6_
Why 5G is bringing edge computing and automation front and center
https://www.networkworld.com/article/3255426/lan-wan/why-5g-is-bringing-edge-computing-and-automation-front-and-center.html
"The rise of 5G coincides with the explosion of connected devices and systems associated with the Internet of Things (IoT). Smart heating systems, wearables and [TV or video streaming in moving] vehicles all bring with them large amounts of data. In addition to more processing power, 5G promises speeds (at least) 10 times faster than those of 4G...
"Processing these high volumes of data, at a faster speed, will require new antennas, new devices, and new applications for wireless data. No matter what the setup looks like, the influx of additional data - which will need to be processed in real-time - will drive the need for edge computing."
Real-time processing also needs to be done at a location close to where the data will come from and be used.
The Key Definitions Of Artificial Intelligence (AI) That Explain Its Importance
https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2018/02/14/the-key-definitions-of-artificial-intelligence-ai-that-explain-its-importance/#7fab1ce24f5d
For our purposes, we can think of AI as:
“The theory and development of computer systems able to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and translation between languages.”
with emphasis on task-centered AI (reinforcement machine learning):
"Generally, people invest in AI development for one of these three objectives:
1. Build systems that think exactly like humans do (“strong AI”) (or, general AI)
2. Just get systems to work without figuring out how human reasoning works (“weak AI”) (or Deep Learning AI)
3. Use human reasoning as a model but not necessarily the end goal (Typically, applications like in the home or on the phone personal assistants -- e.g., Google Home or Alexa or Cortana and their associated devices. Also smart TVs, smart cars and other consumer-level IoT applications.)
"Turns out that the bulk of the AI development happening today by industry leaders falls under the third objective and uses human reasoning as a guide to provide better services or create better products rather trying to achieve a perfect replica of the human mind."
What is Machine Learning? A definition
http://www.expertsystem.com/machine-learning-definition/
"Reinforcement machine learning algorithms is a learning method that interacts with its environment by producing actions and discovers errors or rewards. Trial and error search and delayed reward are the most relevant characteristics of reinforcement learning. This method allows machines and software agents to automatically determine the ideal behavior within a specific context in order to maximize its performance. Simple reward feedback is required for the agent to learn which action is best; this is known as the reinforcement signal."
Most of the AI we will encounter in our automated homes and cars will be of the reinforcement machine learning variety. Some will be preprogrammed, as in supevised machine learning:
"Supervised machine learning algorithms can apply what has been learned in the past to new data using labeled examples to predict future events..."
You know tech has arrived when you need an installer to set it all up for you. This story indicates just how pervasive IoT devices and connections are becoming.
And of course we will need improved WiFi standards for the mesh networks (non-intelligent neural-style networks) to control and coordinate all these Things:
Wi-Fi Alliance’s Wi-Fi EasyMesh certification aims to standardize mesh networks
https://www.pcworld.com/article/3272469/wi-fi/wi-fi-alliances-wi-fi-easymesh-certification-aims-to-standardize-mesh-networks.html
A Little bit About Security and the IoT:
How to Secure Your (Easily Hackable) Smart Home
https://www.tomsguide.com/us/secure-smart-home-how-to,news-19380.html
Create two different Wi-Fi networks
Firewall the network
Install a unified threat management appliance (UTM)
Install security software wherever possible
Check manufacturers' websites for firmware updates (signed firmware updates vs. unsigned)
There's the hard way (manually or using a security router)
[Other] How to secure IoT devices in home network for a newb[ie]
https://www.dslreports.com/forum/r31652367-Other-How-to-secure-IoT-devices-in-home-network-for-a-newb
and there's an easier way (buy a security appliance):
Example of a device to protect IoT Things (Review):
Bitdefender Box 2
https://www.pcmag.com/review/357433/bitdefender-box-2
"The battle for the Internet of Things has just begun," [John] Maddison [of Fortinet] said. "The ultimate winners of the IoT connected home will come down to those vendors who can provide a balance of security and privacy vis-à-vis price and functionality."
More IoT security tips:
8 tips to secure those IoT devices
Make sure the Internet of Things isn’t a route for hackers to get into your home or workplace
https://www.csoonline.com/article/3085607/internet-of-things/8-tips-to-secure-those-iot-devices.html
So, in the future:
Nova Wonders: Can We Build a Brain?
http://www.pbs.org/video/nova-wonders-can-we-build-a-brain-j53aqg/
Especially from Minute 35 onward. How AI and ML (artificial intelligence and machine learning), and neural networks (deep learning) apply to IoT and other areas of our lives. Why General Intelligence is much farther away than task-specific Deep Learning. (Both are aspects of Machine Learning.)
Google Duplex:
HOW GOOGLE'S EERIE ROBOT PHONE CALLS HINT AT AI'S FUTURE
https://www.wired.com/story/google-duplex-phone-calls-ai-future/
GOOGLE’S SELFISH LEDGER IS AN UNSETTLING VISION OF SILICON VALLEY SOCIAL ENGINEERING
https://www.theverge.com/2018/5/17/17344250/google-x-selfish-ledger-video-data-privacy
-- Bob Primak --
-- for The Lexington Technology User Group --
-- June 6, 2018 --